Improvement in life-boats



M. CUSN.

Life-Boats.

Patented April 7,1874.

UNITED STATES A TENT OFFICE.,

MITOIIEL OUSON, OF OIIIOAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN LIFE-BOATS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 149,377, dated April 7, 1874; application filed December 26, 1873.

deck removed; Fig. 3, an enlarged vertical section of the air-tube and valves, showing the manner of openin g and closing the saine; Fig. 4, enlarged section of the oar, showing the manner of securing the saine to the boat; also, showing the manner of securing the rubber-sleeve to the oar and to the side of the boat; Fig. 5, enlarged side elevation of the button. Fig. 6 is a section of oar, showing the manner of supporting the joint. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the after part of the boat, showing wheel and dead-lights.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in the several figures of the drawing.

The object of my invention is to construct a lifeboat in such a manner that, if the saine be capsized, it cannot fill with water, nor wash out the occupants of the boat.

For this purpose the boat A is decked over, as seen in Fig. l, and the deck provided with one or more hinged doors or hatches, A, the same being `arranged to open or close, at the will of the occupant, the same being secured when closed by the button .a. This button is turned under the frame of the deck, and the thumb-screw a set up. This secures the hatch down firmly, shown in Fig. l, when a portion of the deck is removed, and shows in Fig. 5 how the same is secured to the hatch. In order that air may be introduced to the inside, the boat is provided with an air-tube, D. This tube is perforated at c that the air may pass into the boat. The ends of the airtube are provided with valves A connected together by means of rod f. To this rod is pivoted the weighted lever D', having a fulcrum on the outer surface of the tube, as shown in Fig. 3. These valves operate antomatically-let the boat be either side up, the valve that comes in contact with the water closes and the top one opens, allowing the air to pass into the boat.

To provide for the necessity, in case any water should accumulate in the boat from leakage or accident, a small suction and forcepunip, H, is placed in the same, with wastepipe H leading out of the side ofthe boat.

In order that the boat may be propelled by oars, and no water enter at the point where the oar passes through the side, a rubber sleeve, h, is provided, one end being larger than the other, the larger end being secured to the outer or inner surface of the boat, as shown in Fig. 4, the smaller end of the saine passing through the aperture in the side of the boat to the inside. The oa-r B is passed through the sleeve to the desired position.

The smaller end of the sleeve is then securedto the oar B by means of clamps C, making the aperture through which the oar passes water-tight. The oars B are jointed, that they may be shipped from the inside; and, in order that they may be held firmly at the joint when in use, the smaller end of the rubber sleeve h joins the oar at this point. The clamp C is then placed over the joint, and in this position the thumb-screws forced down,

the clamp forcing the rubber down upon the oar, and by this means securing the sleeve and the joint at the same time. The boat A is also provided with a propeller-screw, G, operated from the inside, by means of a crank or levers. The rudder J is also operated by a tiller upon the inside, and, to avoid leakage, the post Ais packed where it passes through the boat. The boat is also provided with deadlights F, one or more, that those within can see in what direction they are going.

I am aware that a life-boat is in .operation at the present time operated by means of ropes attached at each end, one leading to the vessel and the other to the shore, and is cov ered, the same being drawn to the vessel by those on board, und drawn back by those on shore. I disclaim all'eonneetion with such invention; but

That I do claim isl. The rubber sleeve h, in combination with the clamp C, for the purpose of keeping the water from entering u boat at the point Where the oar passes through the saine, substantially as and for the purpose speoied.

2. The combination of the button a and thumb-screw a', when applied to the hatchcovers of u life-boat, and adapted to be operated from below, substantially as set forth.

The above specification signed by me this lSth day of December, 1873.

MITGHEL GUSON.

Wvitnesses:

C. W. ORARY, Z. V. MURNETTE. 

